Disclaimer: I don't own anything.  Characters belong to JK.  The scene/idea of this chapter belongs to the fan fiction author kirakarin.

Thanks to CHERRI*ookami!  Thanks all for reviewing!

To Be Young Again

Chapter 10: An Unexpected Visitor

Lily didn't know what to think.  Her plan hadn't been put into action yet, but it was going to as soon as she had gathered the guts to actually approach this guy.  She didn't know whether this guy would agree to it, although he had just a half a year back. ((A/N: Does that give you a hint?))  Although, if she told this person that it was to spite James, he might agree. 

It was wrong and Lily knew it, without help from her conscience.  She shouldn't cheat at this game, whatever it was…

What the heck are you trying to do to me? Lily shouted mentally at the so-called God or whatever was out there listening.  Make me cheat at something I don't even know?

Then Lily realized something.  Why was she trying to make James jealous anyway?  It's not like she fancied him, she just…

Wants to get him back for what he did.

But what did he do?  Sure, he forced her to go out with him, but it's not like she didn't have a good time.  It started out great, and then she forbade herself to have fun, and sometimes your body obeys your mind.  Sometimes it doesn't.

But that time it did.  And if Lily hadn't forbidden herself to enjoy it, she really, truly would have.

That plan just is not going to go into action.  I am not bringing myself as low as that.  I have too much pride.

I will give…James…a chance.  He deserves it after putting up with me.

And just like that, the plan came to a halt.

*

James glanced at his watch.  It read 6:50.  He grabbed his invisibility cloak, threw it on himself, and dashed out the door.

Sirius and Peter were waiting for him in the common room.  Remus had been escorted to the Shrieking Shack twenty minutes before.

            "C'mon," James muttered as he threw the clock over Sirius and Peter as well.  They ran out of the portrait hole, where the Fat Lady shrieked "Who's there?", but it didn't hinder them. 

The trio raced down seven flights of stairs to the entrance hall and out the door into the night.  Peter transformed, and then ran up to the Whomping Willow, dodging its ever-swaying branches, and pressed the knot with his paw.  The branches stopped making wild motions and the secret passageway was revealed.  James and Sirius, now a stag and a bear-like dog, followed the rat into the Shrieking Shack.

They found Remus already transformed, and so the stag, rat, dog and werewolf galloped, scurried, dashed and ran out into the night, just looking for something to do- animals to hunt, and things like that.

The night was beautiful and clear, and the full moon shone down upon the Marauders, a silver, glistening orb; its light creating a silvery path to and across the lake.

James galloped (A/N: Interesting choice of words isn't it? ^_~) along the path, his best friends in tow (A/N: Of course JAMES has to be in the lead.  Hehehe).

It was a cloudless night, and the Marauders hadn't had their adventure in a month, so they decided to spend their time that night around the lake, for that was where the sky was clearest (A/N: DON'T tell me that was corny and stupid; I know.)

*

Lily needed to take some time to sort out her muddled thought.  I'll take a walk.  That'll help me clear my head, she thought.

She grabbed a hooded sweatshirt and threw it over her robes.  She tiptoed down the stairs to the entrance hall, and out into the night.   The air was warm, and a soft breeze was blowing.  Lily sighed contentedly.  Perfect, she thought.  She took the path to the lake, because at night the lake was beautiful with the silvery light bouncing off of it, reflecting its beauty.

The cool, breezy mist blowing off of the moonlit lake was just what Lily needed to think.  It cooled her body, and her brain.

Now to the thoughts.

So why do I want to make Potter jealous?  I mean, he has all those girls hanging all over him; he probably has all he wants.  He's rich, he's popular, and he's top in our year…what the heck is my motive?

Alright, said the voice, now it's my turn to pop in and give you my opinion.

Shoot, Lily replied.

Well, I think that you fancy him.  Oh yes, you know you do.

Lily sighed.  I did have fun on our 'date', I really did.  I just refused to let it show, and when I realized I was enjoying myself, I got scared.  Scared out of my wits.  I needed time to think and regain myself.  So I refused to let it show to Potter, and I pretended that I had a million better things to be doing.  And I did a pretty good job of it, too, Lily thought with satisfaction.

Lily continued to walk along the moonlit path.  She heard hooves.  What in the world could that be?  Thestrals, maybe?  I can't see anything…

Then she saw what she wished she had never seen- a werewolf.

Lily couldn't think.  She stood rooted to the spot, eyes wide in fear and panic.  A werewolf was charging at her, and all she could do was stand there, staring at it?

Move legs…come on…move, Lily…she thought frantically, trying to get her legs to carry her to safety but this was one of those times when one's body doesn't obey one's mind.  The werewolf was drawing closer…

As a last, desperate attempt to reach safety, Lily opened her mouth to scream, knowing no one could hear her at this time of night.  Everyone was safe, asleep in their beds.  Why, oh why did I have to pick this night for a walk?

A familiar sound of hoof beats reached Lily's ear.  Thestrals? she thought wildly, looking around.

A gorgeous stag came out of nowhere, and was instantly at Lily's side.  The stag, much to Lily's surprise, transformed into James.  He clapped a hand over Lily's mouth.  Her muffled scream became an inquiry of "What?" as she was bewildered that James would be an Animagus, much less be out at this time of night with a werewolf.

James, transformed once more as a stag, brought Lily to safety in the bushes.  He then went to face the werewolf.

They had been gone for an awfully long time.  More like five minutes, Lily chided herself, but it seemed like much longer.

Lily chose this moment, in her complete boredom sitting behind a bush (for who could have fun doing that?) to think.

What the hell is Potter doing out at this time of night, and with a werewolf too?  Or did he just happen to be going for a midnight stroll at the same time I was, and we happened to bump into each other?

And he's an Animagus…an unregistered Animagus…just like me…I never knew…

Well, DUH you never knew, said that voice. (Lily decided to name it Bob, because it was beginning to annoy her and she thought it should have a proper name.  A/N: Inside joke.  Amy, if you're reading this, you'd know. ;) )  If he was an unregistered Animagus, he wouldn't be likely to just tell you, now would he?

I know, Lily argued, it just comes as a shock, that's all.

Just then, James emerged from wherever he was, and he looked concernedly at Lily. 

            "Hey, Evans, are you alright?"

            "Well, let's see," said Lily, in mock thought.  "I was almost attacked by a werewolf, then a stag came out of nowhere, and it turned into you, and then you turned back into a stag, and then you carried me back here.  You left me here for what seems like forever, and then you went off (gallivanting with that werewolf, no doubt) and then you come back, asking if I'm alright.  WHAT ABOUT AN EXPLANATION?"

            "Christ, Evans, calm down.  Now did you say I left you for 'what seems like forever'?  Now, why would it seem that long?  Did you miss me?" asked James, grinning.

            "I asked you for an explanation!" Lily shrilled.

            "And I don't have to give you one," said James coolly. (A/N: That's the James we know!)

Lily looked hurt and appalled.  She opened her mouth to retort, but James wasn't through talking just yet.

            "But I will.  Just because you witnessed all that.  But you have to promise not to tell anyone about this."

            "I will do no such thing!" said Lily indignantly.  "It's not up to you to decide what I tell my friends, or anyone else for that matter!"

            "Come on, Evans," James pleaded.  "I don't want everyone knowing that I'm an-" James cut himself off.

            "That you're a what?" Lily retorted.

            "An unregistered Animagus."

            "Oh, and I suppose all your friends are as well?  What do they turn into?" Lily asked, her eyes flashing.

James seemed to regain his strength.  "That I shall not say.  You can make me tell you that I am an unregistered Animagus, but you can't make my betray me friends.  You're much different that I thought you were, Evans." (A/N: Go James!)

            "Fine," said Lily huffily.  "You owe me another explanation.  What are you doing out at this time of night?  And with a werewolf?"

James' face showed a hint of a smile.  "And I could ask what you are doing out this late at night as well, Evans," he said easily.

Lily flushed, though the night did not show it.  "I was, uh…thinking.  Taking a walk."

            "I see."

Lily gathered herself to retort, "And what about that werewolf?"

            "What about it?"

            "What were you doing, at this time of night, gallivanting with a werewolf?"

            "That," said James coldly, "is my business."

            "Fine," said Lily grumpily.  "Then I'll tell the whole school that you're an unregistered Animagus."

For once, fear flooded James' face.  "Please…don't…Evans, come on…please don't tell…"

            "Then you tell me what that werewolf and you were doing."

James sighed a defeated sigh.  "That was Remus.  He's a werewolf.  Alright?  We transform once a month to keep him company."

Lily's face showed shadows of a smile.  Like a true friend, she thought, admiring.  Wait, what am I thinking?

James' voice broke her thoughts.  He sounded scared, and his voice was pleading.  "You won't tell anyone, will you?  Sirius, Remus, Peter, and I will be in so trouble if anyone finds out."

What a cute puppy dog face, Lily thought.  Ahhh!  Stop thinking these thoughts!

Lily snorted.  "I dunno, Potter.  It's a pretty big piece of news, don't you think?"

            "Evans, be reasonable.  I trusted you enough to tell you-"

Lily snorted derisively.  "No, you told me because I witnessed it all, not because you 'trusted' me."

            "You still won't tell, will you?"

            "I don't know, Potter.  It's a big decision."  And with that, Lily stood up and left.

A/N: Okay, not as long as I hoped it would be, because I was gonna add more, but I decided to save that for next chapter.  So it won't be as long as this one, because it'll just be an addition to this chapter that was never added.  Am I making sense?  I hope so.  And if anyone knows any names for girls (I already have like, 30) please let me know.  My friend doesn't know what to call her main character, so I need as many names as possible from all you guys so she'll have more to choose from, okay?  Alright, you know the routine, read and review!  Luvya!

*much, much love*

Sunshine*girl-Hermione